Steering Wheel Swap Questions.

[4RingRook]

I just picked up a new B7 S4 DTM wheel and airbag with multifunction controls. (thanks sandspeed!) I want to swap my 4 prong non s line wheel for the s4 DTM. I was told this is a full plug and play setup with the current wheel. However, I can't find any body shop around me that will do the swap. Instead, they all recommend 'taking the car to an Audi dealer'. My question is, how hard is it to do this swap? I searched but I could not find a DIY for swapping a B7 steering wheel. Also, is it recommended to have Audi do this? I'm not big on paying $90/hr to do something that I could possibly do myself.

I expected a body shop to do it without issue. I'm somewhat nervous to do it myself b/c I envision driving down the road with the wheel in my hands instead of on the car. haha

Any input would be appreciated. I know the drill and will post pics once the new wheel and pedals are installed. Or, if all else fails, I guess I will turn around and resell the wheel in the classifieds. It's gorgeous.

Thanks everyone!

[redlabel81]

Should be able to do this yourself. 2 screws on the back holding the airbag and 1 big senter torx holding the wheel.
Disconnect the battery while working on the airbag..............

[4RingRook]

Should be able to do this yourself. 2 screws on the back holding the airbag and 1 big senter torx holding the wheel.
Disconnect the battery while working on the airbag..............

Thanks for the info and quick reply. Does anyone know the specific tools required for this?

[4RingRook]

Should be able to do this yourself. 2 screws on the back holding the airbag and 1 big senter torx holding the wheel.
Disconnect the battery while working on the airbag..............

Is it really as simple as popping off the caps on the back of the wheel on both sides, removing both screws? I assume that will release the airbag at which case I can unplug it and then unscrew the center torx? (repeat in reverse)

If its that easy and straightforward, I think I might put on the new wheel tonight!

Edit: absolutely the battery will be disconnected before touching ANYTHING airbag related - wouldnt want it to go off! (envisioning jim carrey from dumb & dumber) - BTW, does anyone want a non s line wheel?

[4RingRook]

All these views and no love?

You're better than that Audizine.

[Alkemix]

All these views and no love?

You're better than that Audizine.

How about a pic. Give to get back.

[4RingRook]

How about a pic. Give to get back.

haha, Love the 'Zine!

Would you like a pic of the new wheel, or what I'm describing on the back of the old wheel? How can I grease the wheels to get this thing movin along? haha.

[dobos100]

Just make sure your steering wheel is dead center and when you take off the steering wheel there will be black plastic ring, this is your steering angle sensor, make sure it does not move during the install.

[Quattro]

What you do, make sure your steering wheels is straight than, disconnect your battery before anything. Make sure the terminals from the battery will not touch.

Than you make find two caps-covers- (one on each side) below the steering wheel.

You use a torx hex (t-30 or t-20) and you remove the airbag from the steering wheel.

Once airbag is out, you unplug the steering wheel, disconnect the other wires as well. (I believe they are color matched, not many wires to begin with so you might not have to write it down, but I did regardless.

Now, the hardest part is to figuring out how to remove the center one. We used some huge Hex wrench looking thing, but I was able to source out that part at Auto Zone. It has iunno 8 sides?, i think I have a pic (will insert here, if I find). Once you get this part off, the wheel comes off and you are done.

The center screw is either a t55 or you can use a 12mm Triple Square (1/2" hex drive).


Do everything backwards, my advice is make sure your steering wheel is straight, else you will have problems, as it will look off.

The hardest part of the wholeeee mod is the center screw, finding the right tool. Make sure you have a buddy with you to drive you to the local part store to find that screw. I just got lucky and my buddy had this weird shape looking thing that fit and we were able to use blue pliers to remove it.


if you have questions, shoot me a pm and give me your number ill walk you through it


p.s. if you are installing this on your tip car, and you never had tip controls you will need a vag com to re program to recognize it.

This is under steering wheel section in vag If I am not mistaken, than you just add +1 to the value (there will be a pop up that shows you how much to add, if you are in the right section)

+1 too me =D
good luck

[4RingRook]

What you do, make sure your steering wheels is straight than, disconnect your battery before anything. Make sure the terminals from the battery will not touch.

Than you make find two caps (one on each side) below the steering wheel.

You use a torx hex (Not sure size) and you remove the airbag from the steering wheel.

Once airbag is out, you unplug the steering wheel, disconnect the other wires as well. (I believe they are color matched, not many wires to begin with so you might not have to write it down, but I did regardless.

Now, the hardest part is to figuring out how to remove the center one. We used some huge Hex wrench looking thing, but I was able to source out that part at Auto Zone. It has iunno 8 sides?, i think I have a pic (will insert here, if I find). Once you get this part off, the wheel comes off and you are done.

Do everything backwards, my advice is make sure your steering wheel is straight, else you will have problems, as it will look off.

The hardest part of the wholeeee mod is the center screw, finding the right tool. Make sure you have a buddy with you to drive you to the local part store to find that screw. I just got lucky and my buddy had this weird shape looking thing that fit and we were able to use blue pliers to remove it.

if you have questions, shoot me a pm and give me your number ill walk you through it


p.s. if you are installing this on your tip car, and you never had tip controls you will need a vag com to re program to recognize it.

This is under steering wheel section in vag If I am not mistaken, than you just add +1 to the value (there will be a pop up that shows you how much to add, if you are in the right section)

+1 too me =D
good luck

ygpm and positive rep my friend!

[Quattro]

just edited my post with the correct info!

anything else shoot me a pm with your number and ill walk you through it or hit me up on aim =D

[redlabel81]

Center screw is a spline M12 :)

[4RingRook]

Thanks for the help guys! Now I gotta make some time to get this done!

[harryd14]

would love to see pics of the new steering wheel when you get it on there! also, how much did you buy your steering wheel for?

[4RingRook]

would love to see pics of the new steering wheel when you get it on there! also, how much did you buy your steering wheel for?

I probably wont be able to install the wheel until the weekend, but I will take pics and post 'em up! As for the price, I'll shoot ya a PM.

[Kemiksiz]

Any idea about :

If the B7 A4 Airbag will work just fine on a B6 A4? I have changed my steering wheel, still waiting to arrive but I had this question in my mind. I bought a new B7 A4 - S4 Airbag for the setup but since A4 B6 has 1 explode level and A4 B7 has 2 levels, will it work fine?

Thanks a lot!